Basketball Basics: Footwork

 

How to Execute a Screen Play in Basketball 🏀🔥

Mastering the screenplay is essential for improving your offensive game. Screens are used to:

✔️ Free a teammate from a defender
✔️ Create space for an open shot
✔️ allow yourself to make a play
✔️ Force a defensive switch to gain a height or speed advantage

A well-executed screenplay confuses defenders and creates high-percentage scoring opportunities.

🎯 Key Elements of a Good Screenplay

There are two main players involved in a screenplay:

1️⃣ The Screener (usually a big player) – Sets a solid screen to block the defender.
2️⃣ The Receiver (usually a guard) – Uses the screen to gain separation.

Both players must have perfect timing and precise movement to execute the play effectively.

🔹 How to Set a Perfect Screen?

✔️ Get into position – Stand in a spot where your body can create the biggest obstacle for the defender.
✔️ Adopt a strong stance – Feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and hands close to your body.
✔️ Stay firm – Avoid unnecessary movement to prevent an illegal screen.
✔️ Hold your position – Let your teammate drive the defender into you.

🚨 Common Mistake: Moving while setting the screen is called an illegal pick, resulting in a turnover.

🔹 Executing the Screen Play

1️⃣ Set the screen at the right angle

• The screener should position themselves at a strategic spot where the defender will run into them.

2️⃣ Wait for the receiver

• The cutter (receiver) must set up their defender before using the screen.
• If the screen is used too early, it will be ineffective.

3️⃣ The receiver makes a cut

• The receiver must explode off the screen to gain space for a shot or a pass.

4️⃣ Both players react

• The screener should roll, pop, or slip to the basket depending on how the defense reacts.
• The ball handler should make the best decision based on the defense’s movement.

🚨 Timing is Everything! A mistimed screen can lead to a wasted opportunity or even a turnover.

🔹 Types of Screens

🎯 Back Screen – A screener stands behind a defender to free a teammate cutting toward the basket.

🎯 Ball Screen (Pick & Roll) – The screener sets a pick for the ball handler, who can then drive, pass, or shoot.

🎯 Cross Screen – A player sets a screen for a teammate moving across the court.

🎯 Down Screen – A screen set closer to the baseline to help a shooter get open.

🔹 Types of Cuts

🚀 Fade Cut – The player moves away from the screen to create separation for an open shot.

🚀 Back Cut – The offensive player quickly cuts behind the defender to receive a pass near the basket.

🚀 Wing Cut – A cut from the perimeter towards the top of the key or free-throw line.

🚀 Curl Cut – The player curls around the screen to receive the ball in a good scoring position.

🏆 Final Thoughts: Make the Screen Play Your Offensive Weapon!

✔️ Proper positioning and stance are crucial.
✔️ Perfect timing makes the play effective.
✔️ Both players must react quickly to the defense.
✔️ Mix up your screens and cuts to keep defenders guessing.

💡 Question: Do you prefer setting screens or using them to get open shots? Let’s discuss it! 💬